/*
 * Copyright (C) 2009-2011 Knowings
 *
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
 * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 3
 * as published by the Free Software Foundation.
 *

 * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 * GNU General Public License for more details.

 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
 */
package com.knowings.tbs.persistence;

import java.io.Serializable;

/**
 * Described a persistent object property. 
 * 
 * @author privarola
 */
public interface IDataProp extends Serializable {

  /**
   * Name of the property. This name should be unique among the property siblings.
   * @return the name identifying the parameter for its parent
   */
  public String getName();

  /**
   * Value of the property. It can be <tt>null</tt>. It may be a list of values if the
   * ITBSKernel.OPTION_MULTIVALUED_PROPS_SUPPORTED descriptor is true on this trace repository.
   * @return the value of the property
   */
  public Serializable getValue();

  /**
   * Returns the data type property. If the model is managed it should match a data type 
   * defined in the model of the bearing entity.
   * @return the data type of the parameter
   */
  public String getDataType();

}
